Page 33 of Seeds of Malice

He wants a second chance?

It is.

The realization sinks deep into me, and adrenaline fills me. I hate that I'm so happy he wants to earn me back.

Was I even his?

No. It was only a day.

Still...

"What's that, gorgeous?" he asks, concern filling his expression.

Anxiety rolls in a ball in my stomach, getting bigger and bigger.

"Tell me," he urges.

"What did you say to my dad?"

His face falls. "Your dad doesn't want me to see you anymore. I told him I'm going to anyway. That is if you forgive me for something I didn't do."

I swallow hard, and my mouth turns dry. It's not fair if I blame Dax for something he didn't do, and I don't have proof Cindy's telling the truth. He seems adamant she's lying. And in fairness, I didn't take Dax to be a liar. He was nothing but good to me all day.

"It's not fair for you to think this of me," he says, as if he can read my thoughts.

I sigh. "Okay, say I believe you about Cindy. Are you going to harm my dad and talk to your father about firing him?"

Dax's eyes widen. "No. Why would I do that? I promised you that your dad would never lose his job because of us. Even if you tellme right now that you never want to see me again, I wouldn't do that. Do I seem like I'm that type of person to you?" A look of hurt flashes across his features.

Relief fills me, but his expression hurts my heart. It's the same relief I felt earlier when he promised me my dad's job would always be safe.

His voice turns more adamant. "Ivy, I never want to have this conversation again. Your father's job has nothing to do with our relationship. I'm not that type of person. Do you understand?"

I nod.

"I want to hear it from your lips. Tell me you understand that I'm not that type of person," he demands.

I clear my throat. "I believe you, Dax. And thank you."

"Why are you thanking me?"

I shrug. "I don't know."

"Well, don't thank me. Just tell me we can start again. I've not been with Cindy, I promise you. I'm not interested in her. I'm interested in you."

"Why?" I blurt out, voicing the question that's run through my soul all day.

Surprise fills his expression. "What do you mean why?

Nerves fill me, but I'm already going down this path, so I might as well finish it.

I declare, "I'm a girl from West Virginia. I don't know anything about the things you know about. I don't come from money, and I don't have any power. You're somebody. I'm a nobody, Dax. Sowhy are you interested in me?" My voice shakes with emotion, and I will myself not to cry.

He pulls me closer and puts his other hand on my cheek. Then he slides it to the back of my head and puts his face right in front of mine, claiming, "You're everything I've been looking for."

They're words that are better than anything he could have said, and all I want to do is believe him.

I open my mouth to speak, but he doesn't let me. He kisses me with the same hunger I feel for him, and I'm soon falling back into the web of everything that's Dax Carrington.

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